Journalist charged with aiding Anonymous

A NEWS PRODUCER has been charged with colluding with members of Anonymous to hack into and deface his company's news website.

There is a press release from the US Department of Justice (DoJ), which reads, "A former web producer for a Tribune Company-owned television station in Sacramento, Calif., was charged in an indictment for allegedly conspiring with members of the hacker group 'Anonymous' to hack into and alter a Tribune Company website."

It names the journalist as Matthew Keys, who is still active on Twitter and is listed as deputy social media editor at Reuters. In tweeted messages he told friends and followers that he was "OK".

Matthew Keys is charged with one count each of conspiracy to transmit information to damage a protected computer, transmitting information to damage a protected computer and attempted transmission of information to damage a protected computer.

At the time of the alleged incident in December 2010, Keys was working for a Tribune owned TV station, KTXL FOX 40. It is alleged that he provided Anonymous members with a login and password for a server at the Tribune Company.

According to the DoJ he identified himself as an employee of the firm in an IRC chatroom and offered to share computer access. The offer was taken and according to the indictment, at least one hacker made changes to the web version of a Los Angeles Times news feature story.

"Keys identified himself on an Internet chat forum as a former Tribune Company employee and provided members of Anonymous with a login and password to the Tribune Company server," said the DoJ statement. "After providing log-in credentials, Keys allegedly encouraged the Anonymous members to disrupt the website."